478 Selling Belles and Begonia (1/2)

He was finally able to leave Half Moon Village for a while for the meeting with Mammon and Ruth but he never thought that his combat teacher would make such an arrangement.

”You know, I thought that we would be going to Finest Taste for such meetings as per tradition,” he said. ”What happened?”

Ruth didn't look apologetic in the slightest and Zero frowned at the room's decoration. Sure, this might be VVIP treatment but is the hospital really the best place for an important meeting with a Demon Lord?

”I'm not responsible for this,” Ruth replied. ”Your shifu heard about it and insisted that we hold it here. Fear not, food arrangements have been made. You don't have to eat bland hospital food. The cooks here aren't as good as those from Belles and Begonia.”

When Zero heard about the small cafe that Coux, Amaraline and Qin Yun managed, his eyes brightened up. ”Will I see someone I know?”

With a fangy grin, Ruth nodded. ”Possibly. You'll have visitors too after the meeting. Oh, your shifu said that he was going to give you a thorough check-up once this is over. Don't say I didn't warn you. You gave us all quite the scare.”

This time, there was no retort. Zero had to admit, Hua Tuo was being kind by only insisting on a check-up. If he was serious, Zero would probably be forced to remain in the hospital until he was 'fully recovered'. There should be a lot of rehabilitation going on according to the usual medical procedure but Zero was glad his shifu wasn't going to force him to go through that.

Mammon knocked on the door and entered the isolated ward. Zero was sitting on the hospital bed with Ruth on a chair beside. The Demon Lord blinked.

”Are we holding a meeting like this?” he asked Ruth who shrugged.

”It's a hospital. There really aren't many things we can bring or do in here. Food is on the way, at the very least, that's settled. How about you lie down on the bed for a while? Some of the interns here are looking for spare furniture.”

Taking Ruth's suggestion, Mammon went over to lie down beside Zero who scooted over a little more towards the edge. Being in a small body had its advantages and Zero learnt that Mammon didn't mind cuddles. Hence, he took advantage of that, amusing Ruth to no end.

Terrified of the domain owner, they bowed hastily and left.

Ruth checked his communicator. It was almost time for the representative from Belles and Begonia to arrive. He looked over to Mammon who was sound asleep. The eye bags beneath the Demon Lord's eyes were very prominent and Ruth felt slightly bad for needing to wake him up for their meeting. Zero couldn't remain in the abyss for too long because he had many visitors and many places to be. The trip to see Axel the spriggan at the Tree of Life has been arranged and Ruth wondered if Zero could take it easy for a few days in Hell. He looked like he needed a break too.

Amaraline arrived and Zero's face brightened up. Ruth didn't disturb them and remained by Mammon's bed while Zero exchanged hugs with the fortune-teller. Ever since Coux and Qin Yun became busier, Belles and Begonia rested solely on the cockatrice girl's shoulders. She couldn't leave the cafe to return to Half Moon Village because business was booming. Hence, she didn't hesitate to leave her shop for a few hours when she heard that Zero would be coming to Hell.

”It's been a while,” Amaraline smiled. ”How have you been? I heard from Coux that you were badly hurt.”

Zero laughed. ”I was. I'm recovered now but the village would be even busier than before. When are you going back? Clowis and your uncle miss you.”